Now all of the sudden, the AOPA/Aviat "Reimagined" C-152 -- completely torn down and restored; which originally sold for about $100K; and which was met with much derision and cat-calls on such web sites as this one -- doesn't seem like such a bad deal.
I don't know the answer to this but does anyone know if AOPA actually ever sold one or how many were restored?
Yes and yes. I’ve seen two of these restored 152s on the ramp at Palo Alto airport. They are painted yellow, and maybe the original demonstration models. I think West Valley flying club rents them out as trainers. I don’t know how much they get used. I know at least one man who was posting on some forum, it may have been this forum, who was interested and bought one. I don’t know whatever became of him or the plane. Aviat still advertises the restorations on their website. The cost is now about $175,000-$200,000 for a restored 152. A bit less for a 150.
